Billie Dean Prigmore, age 94, passed away Thursday, November 2, 2023 in
Tulsa, Oklahoma. Billie was born Billie Dean Monks on July 21,1929 in Bower Community near
Eufaula, Oklahoma to William McKinley Monks and Bessie (Howell) Monks.
Billie called herself the "happy thief' because: "God gave me the ability to pull from people the love and goodness that makes my road through life such a happy one." That road took her to
Muskogee, Oklahoma, where her family moved when she was 13, and there she graduated from Central High School in 1947. Billie was a natural salesperson. When she was just sixteen she was selected Bond Queen as she sold $71,000 in Victory Bonds, delivering the money to astonished school officials in paper bags.
On June 2, 1950, she met and married Charles ("Chuck") Prigmore, a young football coach. In 1957, the young couple moved to
Sand Springs, Oklahoma. The young couple invested in stock of National Investors Life ("NILIC"), where Billie later went to work for the Company "to see that it was properly handled." Chuck's career took the family to Oklahoma City, where Billie was appointed the first NILIC female General Agent in Oklahoma. She won the President's Month competition more times than any other agent and received various honors and recognition for top salesperson during the seven years she maintained an agency in Oklahoma City and was the first woman to sell a million dollars of life insurance in Oklahoma.
In 1968, Chuck's career took the couple, with their two children, Carla and Tom, to Little Rock where Chuck (now having earned his doctorate from OU) accepted the position of Executive Vice Chancellor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Billie continued to be a top salesperson for NILIC, distinguishing herself with various awards and recognition including the Standards of Excellence Award. Billie maintained her license and was writing policies into her 90s. Billie was also a leader of the UAMS Faculty Women's Club and UAMS Auxiliary. Billie contributed her time and talents to the
American Heart Association, and was a volunteer for the American Cancer Society, Big Brothers and the March of Dimes. Billie and Chuck spent their later years in Oklahoma where Chuck was the Academic Vice President at the Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, where again Billie volunteered time with the NSU Alumni Association. Billie had a passion for teaching young children about American patriotism for the American Legion when she spent winters in South Texas. Billie enjoyed leisure time dancing, entertaining friends and family at their cabin on Lake Eufaula, and traveling in their motorhome. Billie and Chuck were lifelong members of the United Methodist Church and attended First Methodist Church in Tulsa in their later years. The couple spent the remainder of their days in Tulsa.
Billie is preceded in death by her loving husband of 67 years, Dr. Charles Thomas Prigmore, Sr and her siblings; John Monks, Bessie Jean Murphy and Herbert Monks.
Billie is survived by her son, Charles Thomas Prigmore, Jr., and wife Kathy of
Berlin, Maryland; her daughter, Carla Saddler Rix, and husband Curtis of
Southlake, TX; her grandchildren: Lauren Merrill and husband Jeremy, Allison McNay and her husband Kevin, Emily Prigmore, Morgan Prigmore, Megan Janes and husband Brandon, Brooke Pritt and husband Michael, Aylor Wilson and husband Kinzy, and Carter Rix; and her great-grandchildren: Gage, Adelyn, and Halle Merrill; Grant and Ava Janes; Leo Pritt; Presley and Berkley McNay; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives (who knew her as "Aunt Doodle" and "Aunt Billie Biscuit" because of her best ever homemade Biscuits!); as well as many friends considered like family.
The family wishes to extend its gratitude to Kim Morrison, daughter of Mary and the late Donald Johnson (lifelong friends of Billie and Chuck), and Kim's family for caring for Billie in her final days in their home.
Visitation will be 8:30AM to 9:30 AM Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at Floral Haven Funeral Home. Billie's life will be celebrated by family and friends on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at First Methodist Church Tulsa. Memorials can be left honoring Bille's volunteer work at the
American Heart Association, Oklahoma Affiliate. Condolences may be left on Billie Prigmore's online guest book at www.floralhaven.com.